5-Day Switzerland Highlights:
The Right Rail Pass for Every Stop
Zürich → Lucerne → Mt. Rigi → Interlaken → Jungfraujoch → Geneva. The Swiss Travel Pass 4-day saves the average couple CHF 120–180 vs. point-to-point. Here’s the full calculation.
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1
Arrival — Zürich
Zürich- Arrive Zürich HB (airport rail link: 10 min, CHF 6.80 or free with Swiss Travel Pass)
- Old Town (Altstadt) walking tour — free
- Kunsthaus Zürich — included with Swiss Travel Pass
- Dinner at Zeughauskeller on Bahnhofstrasse
Activate your Swiss Travel Pass today so airport transfers are covered.
- 2
Lucerne & Mt. Rigi
Lucerne / Mt. Rigi🚆 IC Zürich HB → Luzern (46 min)- Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) — free
- Boat from Lucerne to Vitznau (included with STP)
- Vitznau–Rigi Kulm cogwheel railway — included with STP
- 360° panorama from 1,797 m
- Return via Arth-Goldau → Luzern → Zürich or continue to Interlaken
Check webcam at rigi.ch before going — cloud cover is common in early morning.
- 3
Interlaken & Grindelwald
Interlaken / Grindelwald🚆 IC Zürich HB → Bern (58 min)🚆 IC Bern → Interlaken Ost (50 min)- Interlaken Ost arrival — Swiss Travel Pass valid to here
- BOB rack railway Interlaken Ost → Grindelwald (36 min) — 50% discount with STP
- Grindelwald village walk with Eiger North Face views
- Glacier Gorge (Gletscherschlucht) — CHF 8
- Return to Interlaken for overnight
Book Grindelwald accommodation 3–4 months ahead in peak summer.
- 4
Jungfraujoch — Top of Europe
Jungfraujoch (3,454 m)🚆 Interlaken Ost → Grindelwald Terminal (Eiger Express gondola)🚆 Grindelwald Terminal → Eigergletscher → Jungfraujoch JB railway- Jungfraujoch — Top of Europe visitor centre
- Sphinx Observatory (highest in Europe)
- Aletsch Glacier viewpoint
- Ice Palace
- Return via Wengen and Lauterbrunnen valley
Book your Jungfraujoch ticket online in advance, especially Jul–Aug. Good weather window is typically 10:00–14:00.
- 5
Geneva — Departure
Geneva🚆 Interlaken Ost → Bern (50 min)🚆 Bern → Genève-Aéroport (1h 45min)- Jet d'Eau (Geneva fountain) — free
- Old Town (if early flight: skip or quick walk)
- Genève-Aéroport station — direct link from city, 6 min
The airport rail station is right inside Terminal 1. No bus needed.
Pass comparison — 2 adults
Prices per person, 2nd class, valid at time of publication. Verify at SBB.ch before booking.
| Pass | Price per person | Covers | Excursion discount | Family Card | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swiss Travel Pass 4-day | CHF 289 | All SBB trains, buses, boats + museum entry | 50% Jungfraujoch, Rigi, Titlis | Yes — children free | ✓ Best |
| Swiss Travel Pass 3-day | CHF 244 | All SBB trains, buses, boats | 50% on Jungfraujoch, Rigi | Yes — children free | Runner-up |
| Half Fare Card + point-to-point | CHF 270–340 | 50% off all tickets — must buy each ticket | 25–50% depending on excursion | No | Skip |
| Point-to-point (no pass) | CHF 420–480 | Exact routes only — no transfers | None | No | Skip |
Travelling with children?
With the free Family Card (ordered alongside Swiss Travel Pass), children 6–15 travel completely free on all routes covered by the pass — including excursions at 50% discount. For 2 adults + 2 children 6–15 this saves ~CHF 320 vs. separate children's tickets.
Calculate for my family →What if your trip looks different?
Skipping Jungfraujoch
Without Jungfraujoch the Swiss Travel Pass still wins for Rigi + long-distance trains, but the saving narrows to ~CHF 60. Half Fare Card becomes competitive.
Run this scenario →Only 4 nights, no Geneva
Cutting Geneva and returning from Zürich removes ~CHF 100 in train fares. The Swiss Travel Pass 3-day becomes the winner at CHF 244/person.
Run this scenario →Solo traveller
Solo travellers lose the Family Card benefit. Swiss Travel Pass 4-day still wins for this route but the saving vs. Half Fare Card drops to ~CHF 30–50.
Run this scenario →Get the exact calculation for your dates
Dates affect peak pricing, especially Jul–Aug. Let the AI run the numbers for your specific travel window.
Calculate my passes — free